Oxfam has said that the airdrops into Gaza are wholly inadequate for the population’s needs.
It called for the immediate opening of all crossings for full humanitarian access into the territory devasted by relentless Israeli bombardments and a partial aid blockade.
Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam Policy Lead for the Occupied Palestinian territory, said, “Deadly airdrops and a trickle of trucks won’t undo months of engineered starvation in Gaza.”
“What’s needed is the immediate opening of all crossings for full, unhindered, and safe aid delivery across all of Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. Anything less risks being little more than a tactical gesture.”
Bushra Khalidi
This came as Israel began “tactical pauses” in fighting for “humanitarian purposes” from 10am to 8pm (07:00-17:00 GMT) in al-Mawasi, Deir el-Balah and Gaza City, starting on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
The pause would be repeated every day from 10am to 8pm local time until further notice and Israel would continue fighting in other areas of Gaza.
Israel said the measures were designed to improve the humanitarian situation and “refute the false claim of deliberate starvation in the Gaza Strip,” releasing footage of an overnight aid airdrop, that included flour, sugar and canned food. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates also carried out airdrops on Sunday afternoon.
Israel also said it would turn on the power to a desalination plant to provide water. The military has designated “secure routes” from 6am to 11pm (03:00 to 20:00 GMT) to allow the movement of UN and other humanitarian organisations’ aid convoys.
The World Health Programme (WFP) welcomed the new measures, which it said it hoped would allow for a increase in the supply of urgently needed food.
It said in a statement, “WFP has enough food in – or on its way to – the region to feed the entire population of 2.1 million people for almost three months.” It added that a ceasefire was needed to ensure food reached the entire population in Gaza.
Israel initially blocked all aid into Gaza for two and a half months, before allowing a small amount of aid to enter the territory.
It has since allowed in 4,500 UN trucks into Gaza, about 70 trucks each day, far fewer than the 500 trucks needed daily to feed its population.
Israel has disparaged publicly the UN-led aid system in Gaza, accusing it of allowing Hamas to systematically siphon aid – a claim that the UN has rejected.
Israel has supported the private US-led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as an alternative to the UN, but its two months in Gaza have been marred by consistent killings of those seeking aid. More than 1,000 people have been killed while trying to get aid, mostly at GHF distribution sites, the UN says.
Humanitarians have said that the scale of malnourishment means aid needs to flood the territory in order to save the lives of people whose bodies are already shutting down.
Netanyahu Vows To Advance Fighting, Continue Negotiations On Gaza
During an ongoing “tactical pause” in Gaza to allow aid deliveries, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces are continuing to fight in Gaza. “Let it be clear that we will achieve our goal and destroy Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
“In order to achieve the goal of defeating Hamas and returning our kidnapped soldiers, we are advancing the fighting and conducting negotiations. Whatever path we choose, we will be forced to allow the entry of essential humanitarian aid.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
Despite the pauses, Israeli forces have killed at least 53 Palestinians in attacks on Gaza since the early hours of Sunday, as six more Palestinians starve to death.
Netanyahu’s comments came days after he withdrew his negotiating team from Doha, where ceasefire negotiations were taking place.
The US and Israel accused Hamas of not being serious about a truce, while Hamas and mediators claimed the withdrawal was merely a negotiating tactic.
READ ALSO: Full Justice, Not Bargains, In Nyinaku Case- Prof. Asare
